rcome him.

They conducted him to the Hotel, but Natalie now became seriously
alarmed; and well she might. His complexion looked ghastly, his limbs
shook, and his features bore an expression of indescribable horror and
anguish. What could be the meaning of so extraordinary a change in the
gay, witty, prosperous De Chaulieu, who, till that morning, seemed not to
have a care in the world? For, plead illness as he might, she felt
certain, from the expression of his features, that his sufferings were
not of the body but of the mind; and, unable to imagine any reason for
such extraordinary manifestations, of which she had never before seen a
symptom, but a sudden aversion to herself, and regret for the step he had
taken, her pride took the alarm, and, concealing the distress she really
felt, she began to assume a haughty and reserved manner towards him,
which he naturally interpreted into an evidence of anger and contempt.
The dinner was placed upon the table; but De Chaulieu's appetite, of
which he had lately boasted, was quite gone, nor was his wife better able
to eat. The young sister alone did justice to the repast; but although
the bridegroom could not eat, he could swallow champagne in such copious
draughts, that ere long the terror and remorse that the apparition of
Jacques Rollet had awakened in his breast were drowned in intoxication.
Amazed and indignant, poor Natalie sat silently observing this elect of
her heart, till overcome with disappointment and grief, she quitted the
room with her sister, and retired to another apartment, where she gave
free vent to her feelings in tears.

After passing a couple of hours in confidences and lamentations, they
recollected that the hours of liberty granted, as an especial favor, to
Mademoiselle Hortense, had expired; but ashamed to exhibit her husband in
his present condition to the eyes of strangers, Natalie prepared to
re-conduct her to the _Maison Royale_ herself. Looking into the
dining-room as they passed, they saw De Chaulieu lying on a sofa fast
asleep, in which state he continued when his wife returned. At length,
however, the driver of their carriage begged to know if Monsieur and
Madame were ready to return to Paris, and it became necessary to arouse
him. The transitory effects of the champagne had now subsided; but when
De Chaulieu recollected what had happened, nothing could exceed his shame
and mortification. So engrossing indeed were these sensations that they
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